NORTH West aerospace workers have been given a boost with news that Chicago-based United Airlines is ordering more aircraft to add to its Airbus fleet.

The US airline has placed orders for an additional A320 and two A319 aircraft, with all planned for delivery in the second quarter of 2003.

Currently operating a fleet of more than 100 Airbus aircraft with a firm order backlog of over 80 more, United Airlines is the largest airline customer in the world for Airbus in terms of aircraft orders.

Airbus chief executive Noel Forgeard said: "The North American region continues to be one of our most successful markets.

"Every time a customer as influential as United places a repeat order for Airbus, it points to the fact that our airliners provide what the airlines want and passengers demand - reliability, economy and comfort.''

Wings for all Airbus jets are built at BAE System's plant at Broughton, Flintshire, which employs close to 5,000 people.

That figure is expected to grow to more than 6,000 as the site recruits engineers to build the wings for the new 555-seat A380 jumbo Airbus.

There are currently more than 2,500 Airbus aircraft in service worldwide, including around 1,500 of the best-selling A320 family of aircraft, which comprises the A318 (107 seats), A319 (124 seats), A320 (150 seats) and A321 (185 seats).

All four aircraft share a high degree of commonality, offering many advantages to operators, such as reduced maintenance and training costs.

In addition, the optimised cabin cross-section with its wider seats and aisle adds to passenger comfort.

The latest order from the United States is indicative of the growing number of Airbus aircraft in service in the US and Canada.

The firm-order backlog for Airbus, from customers in North America, is just under 1,000 aircraft.